(Not) driving home for Christmas: Tesco and suppliers take trucks off the road to deliver a greener Christmas

The ‘Tetris’-style trial has delivered savings of over 400,000 road miles per year, a reduction of more than 450 tonnes of CO2

Tesco’s distribution teams are partnering with 15 of its major suppliers to reduce the number of trucks on the road over Christmas.

The retailer’s ‘road traffic control’ team has been busy reviewing which suppliers make deliveries to the same locations, and has now been able to consolidate and streamline the routes suppliers use when delivering to distribution centres. 

With Christmas favourites like trifle, parsnips, broccoli and carrots being moved together, and by combining loads, Tesco can stop trucks criss-crossing the country as products make their way onto shelves for customers.

The process finds products that can neatly fit into spaces on a truck by filling in the gaps and has resulted in savings of over 400,000 truck miles per year, equating to 17 trips around the globe. The change has removed 3,400 trucks off the road so far, leading to a saving of over 450 tonnes of CO2.

Trudy Wilson, Head of Supplier ordering at Tesco said: “By working closely with our suppliers and joining them up to use each other’s transport routes, we’re delighted to have delivered savings in emissions and costs for suppliers. The ‘Tetris’-style project helps us use as much space as we possibly can in our trucks over the Christmas period, making the most of every journey and helping keep trucks off the road at a busy time of year."

She finished by saying: "We have exciting plans for the year ahead and are hoping to expand the project with more suppliers coming on board.”

Don't fall victim to parking misery this Christmas!

Christmas shoppers are being warned to take extra care and be extremely vigilant where they park when shopping amid reports that private parking companies are issuing record numbers of 'fines.' 

Experts from leading price comparison website Quotezone.co.uk are urging drivers to check restrictions before a shopping trip, following the news private firms are issuing up to 30,000 tickets per day.

The huge number of fines equates to one every three seconds with private operators set to make £1 billion in revenue through parking tickets alone. 

With demand for parking spaces at a peak in December, Christmas shoppers are potentially more at risk of receiving a fine if they are unable to find their usual parking spot and need to leave their car in a location they don't know very well.

Private parking firms operate a wide variety of locations from supermarkets to vacant city centre lots and multi-storey blocks. 

They often don’t apply the same rules as council-run car parks and can have higher fines for even minor parking transgressions. 

Drivers have been told to check for any information boards before leaving their car and heading to the shops. 

Quotezone.co.uk Founder Greg Wilson said: “Christmas is an expensive time of year and this December many families are already stretching their budgets to the limit. 

“The last thing anyone needs now is a parking ticket when they’re buying Christmas presents for their loved ones but with many car parks full in the run up to Christmas, drivers are having to find somewhere different to leave their car and that could mean a private car park. 

“We’re urging all shoppers to check for information boards and ensure they fully understand the costs and restrictions which apply before they leave their vehicle. 

“With 11% of people admitting to leaving valuable Christmas presents in their cars while they park up and enjoy the festivities, it’s important drivers choose a well-lit area, if possible, especially if it’s an unfamiliar location, and hide any gifts out of sight.”

Anyone who does find themselves with a parking fine they feel is undeserved can appeal it - with 60% of appeals being successful. 

Greg continues: “If you return from a Christmas shopping expedition to find a parking ticket on your windscreen don’t despair as private fines can be challenged, but only if you can prove you were fined unfairly.” 

Around 35,000 people dispute their tickets each year with the Traffic Penalty Tribunal, and a striking 64% of those appeals are successful.  

Here’s Quotezone.co.uk’s steps to appealing a parking ticket: 

Don’t ignore it 

The most important part of getting a parking ticket is to not ignore the fine. Doing so may result in a serious increase in the fine, debt enforcement action, or even a court order.

2.            Check what type of parking ticket it is

Formal bodies and private companies have different appeal procedures, so it’s important to find out which one has been handed out.

Official tickets are called Penalty Charge Notice, Excess Charge Notice or Fixed Penalty Notice and drivers can find the name of the issuing authority on the ticket, all other tickets are issued by private companies. 

3.            Act quickly 

Don’t miss out on the 50% discount by taking too long to pay. The money off should still be frozen and applied if appeals are filed within 14 days of receiving the ticket.

4.            Find evidence 

To make the case stronger, it’s good to have some evidence to back up claims. The easiest way to prove that you did not break parking rules is to provide photo or CCTV evidence. 

5.            Witness statements 

If it’s not possible in certain situations to find photo or CCTV evidence, the next step is to provide any witness statements. When illegal parking is excused by a medical emergency or condition drivers should get a doctor’s note. 

6.            Make the right type of appeal

There are a couple of different appeals that can be filed: informal or formal. 

Informal appeals only apply to Penalty Charge Notices which are left on windscreens. Just send the appeal to the local authority and include any relevant evidence that has been collected. 

If the informal appeal is unsuccessful or if the fine was sent by post, then drivers will have to go through the formal appeal process. This involves filling out and submitting a form if motorists want to get penalties overturned. 

7.            Final appeal 

If the dispute fails in the formal stage as well, then fined drivers can take appeals to the private adjudicator for free. There are options for personal hearings or completing the process by email, phone or post. 

Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year find savings on household bills and essentials, with over 400 personal finance brands across 60 different products including car insurance, day insurance and niche products such as campervan insurance.

Incidentally there is a wealth of knowledge on the FightBack Forums (http://forums.pepipoo.com) as they have helped many motorists fight unfair or even illegal "fines" from private and council carparks or on street parking.

(Image courtesy of Florian Pircher and Pixabay)

Buy the motorists in your life a Road Angel dashcam for Christmas

A leading automotive technology specialist has reported doubling their share of the UK dashcam market as British drivers increasingly seek out higher spec features to protect themselves while driving.

Road Angel’s market share has rocketed in 2022, making the road safety experts the fastest-growing dashcam brand in the UK.

The dashcam brand has seen rapid growth across retail and B2B after-market sales in 2022 as both consumers and new and used car dealerships have opted for its dashcams in increasing numbers.

It's estimated over a quarter of the 40.4 million licensed vehicles on UK roads now have dashcams fitted with ownership continuing to rise every year.

Brits are turning to in-car cameras in these numbers as a way of seeing how they and others drive and are useful for finding out who is at fault in the event of an accident.

They can also monitor traffic conditions and be used to make drivers aware of pedestrians, vehicle proximity, lane departure, and other potential hazards.

The quality of the footage, amount of built-in memory, and extra features such as parking mode are key considerations when Brits are choosing which dashcam to buy.

A further trend that impacted sales is that increasingly consumers are looking for dashcams without screens to cut down on distractions while driving.

In  2022 consumer champion Which? hailed Road Angel’s Halo Ultra dashcam, awarding it the coveted ‘Best Buy’ status for its superb footage, parking mode, and built-in memory.

Dashcams with extended recording distance and clarification of obstacles make them more effective at identifying who is at fault should an accident occur.

Road Angel’s position as the fastest growing UK dashcam brand is the result of growing sales across their product range, allowing motorists to buy dashcams from as low as £79, rising to £199 for the top-of-the-line model depending on individual need.

Motorists have reported product design, the functionality of the smart app, and user-friendly systems that are always reliable as central to their decision to choose Road Angel dashcams.

Contributing to Road Angel’s rapid growth has been a promotional pricing strategy that gives motorists access to high-end dashcams during a cost-of-living crisis.

Gary Digva, who is the Sales & Marketing Director of Road Angel said: “Motorists are increasingly looking to protect themselves while driving and are looking for dashcams that can provide supporting evidence in case of an accident and other features that help them stay safe.

“Our latest dashcams provide market-leading quality and performance at affordable price points for UK drivers.

“We are delighted both consumers and car dealerships have turned to Road Angel dashcams in 2022 and we have bold plans to continue to increase our share of the consumer retail sector next year

“B2B after-market sales currently represent the largest part of our dashcam business with sales tripling year on year.

“But we have also seen significant growth in retail sales of our dashcams and there is a clear opportunity to grow retail sales further in 2023 as more established dashcam retailers' sales decline.”

For more information on the latest range of dashcams that offer motorists the best protection please visit https://www.roadangelgroup.com/collections/dash-cam.

Many of us have seen examples on YouTube and other video sharing websites of scammers stopped in mid scam when their potential victim points out that their scam has been captured on a dashcam.

So, if you have friends or relatives who don't yet have a dashcam fitted to their car, van, truck or lorry, That's Christmas feels a Road Angel dashcam would make an excellent Christmas present for them.

Homemade alcoholic drinks for Christmas

There's a lot to be said for homemade wines, beers and ciders, especially for the Christmas period. You can buy kits for beer, cider and wine from some chemists, most supermarkets and from specialist homebrew shops either in person or online.

They can be ready within two to three weeks, so if you start very soon you should be able to have some ready to be drunk by Christmas. Obviously you can mature them and they should, hopefully, taste better given enough time.

However, homebrew beer, cider and wine kits make excellent Christmas presents so they are worth considering as gifts for the family members or friends who are fairly good with their hands and who can follow instructions and are good at keeping things clean.

A good online shop for homebrew supplies is called BREW Genie, they retail online and also via a shop within their premises which are located within a former vicarage in New Church Road, Wellington, Shropshire.

They sell a wide range of products including beer kits, wine kits, cider kits from a large number of different suppliers.

They also sell ingredients and equipment, plus books to help you become a very proficient brewer or wine maker in your own right.

They also sell liqueur kits and flavourings and a whole lot more, besides including still equipment. Check them out at https://www.brewgenie.co.uk.

You might find other homebrew shops near to you. Just Google homebrew beer/wine shops near your location. 

Regulatory Expert Warns Shoppers to be Wary of Christmas Toy Dangers

As part of this year’s festive shopping, a global product information consultancy is issuing strong warnings of the potential risks and dangers of some children’s toys and products that are often sold online and what buyers should be looking out for. 

Following several serious product recalls concerning toys and products which were sold on some major online retailers, regulatory experts at the product information people, Ashbury, share their tips for what consumers should look out for on the label when buying Christmas presents for children this year.   

One recall was made for a paint set, sold on AliExpress, because there were serious risks of toxicity, with the paints in the set containing the prohibited ingredient lead, plus  illegal levels of N-Nitrosamines and N-Nitrosatable substances which are considered hazardous due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic nature. 

Bharti Gorania-Wood, Regulatory Team Lead at Ashbury, explained: “Learning of recalls like the paint set and other similar instances is of great concern and it clearly highlights what can happen when regulatory services aren't implemented correctly, or at all, during product development, labelling, and compliance reviews.

“The UK’s legal framework for children’s toys was re-established after Brexit, by the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 which is currently identical to the EU Toy Safety Directive. It imposes obligations on manufacturers, importers, distributors and authorised representatives, and details what must be complied with before a product can even enter the UK.

“UK enforcement bodies can intercept this supply chain at any point to test a product for safety and that it meets all relevant legislation. In cases of non-compliance or where there’s reason to believe the product poses a risk to the health and safety of a user, action may be taken. Typically, notices are issued or the item may be recalled from the UK market. Offences can result in fines, or even imprisonment, in some cases.”

And it’s not just online shops that are susceptible to safety recalls, says Bharti. “There are hundreds of shocking and severely dangerous examples of insufficient products making it onto the marketplace both online and at major high street stores through a lack of testing, compliance, and regulatory checks.” 

Many reports of toxicity have been reported from items imported from China, including a “Barbie” style doll with levels of phthalates that exceeded the maximum level allowed in the UK, levels of which could cause possible damage to the reproductive system. 

The product also failed to meet requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 or REACH Regulations, and have since been intercepted at border controls, either being rejected or destroyed.  

“Parents and other adults buy items expecting them to have been tested and meet safety standards and, while most do, there are certain things we can look out for to ensure they are fit for purpose and have been through the relevant legislative checks.  

“The onus is on retailers and manufacturers to ensure these are carried out effectively, but as seen from product recalls in the UK market, they can, and do, fall short on occasion. And when it comes to product safety, there is absolutely no room to risk bypassing these vital compliance processes – doing so could have potentially fatal repercussions, as well as cause serious reputational and financial damage.”  

Bharti’s advice to consumers include:

    • Research | Consider the brand selling or suppliers stocking the product to ensure they are reputable and can demonstrate that the products are genuine (and that they have been through the proper checks) 

    • Be Wary | If it is much cheaper than it is found on other trusted supplier sites, it may be a duplicate of the genuine version you’re seeking. And, if it looks or sounds too good to be true, it probably is 

    • Read the Label | Always read the label warnings and check for a UK or EU address to ensure it’s been approved for sale in these markets. Also look out for accredited marks such as UKCA, UKNI, or CE certifications 

    • Check the Status | Consumers can also visit https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls to check if and why a product has been recalled. 

Launched in 2011, Ashbury is a UK leading consultancy service provider, helping businesses navigate the complex world of product information regulations for food and non-food products. Its expert regulatory team guides clients from a place of uncertainty to complete reassurance, helping them to understand, apply and comply with domestic and international regulations, and empowering them to help their customers make safe and informed choices. For more information, please call 0845 459 5019, email hello@ashbury.global, or visit www.ashbury.global. 

www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-recall-primark-character-wooden-plates-2210-0007

Need something special for Christmas? Then You Need Ones Leisure Trainers. An exciting Midlands start up trainer business with a Soul

Ones Leisure Trainers launched last year, December 2021. Simon Caulton (Ones Founder) designed and created lightweight, super comfortable and eco-friendly trainers for anyone who needs to stay on their feet all day.

The brand creation was inspired by Simon’s own personal heart breaking journey when his daughter, Mia was diagnosed with infantile acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just seven months old in July 2017 and given a 50:50 survival rate of reaching the age of five. The experience was life changing. 

Simon and his partner Anjna Mahey, left their day jobs to become round the clock carers for Mia, living at Birmingham Children's Hospital. They watched their daughter endure a gruelling treatment plan which included, lumber punches, bone marrow operations, blood transfusions, x-rays and chemotherapy drugs.

Mia was discharged after nine months, but she still had almost two years of continued chemo treatment at home. With Simon's work being predominately based within the Far East and Anjna’s work 15 minutes away from home, they made a family decision that Simon would become a stay at home dad and look after Mia, whilst Anjna would return to work.

“This was a very difficult time for me, stepping away from a career I'd worked so hard for, that I loved, I never imagined becoming a stay at home dad, I love my daughter so much and yes, this was the right logical step as a family, but I struggled with this adjustment. The loss of my independence, loss of control, the trauma, the isolation, I felt myself losing my purpose, my mental health spiralled downwards quickly, so I needed to find a focus.” says Simon.

Simon’s first step was to seek help for his own mental health, he got help identifying the PTSD he was suffering from. He has since become a passionate advocate of men’s mental health, sharing his one step journey with various organisations. Speaking candidly and open about his own personal struggles and the importance of seeking help.

Simon became an ambassador for the official charity of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wolves Foundation, for over 2 years and their Head4Health cohort groups. He was even invited by the football team to talk about mental health, at a premiership football match highlighting the power of talking in 2019.

Designing the trainers was an incredible chapter in their lives. Simon channelled all his pain and experiences into the brand. Whilst Mia was in hospital, they were occupants at the Ronald McDonald House, Birmingham. This is a charity that offer rooms to parents/families caring for a critically ill child in hospital. The house was a life line for them, a veritable home away from home. 

Simon went on to say: "Every morning I'd get ready and sit at the edge of the bed, put my trainers on and stare at my feet, not knowing what the day would hold, I'd take a deep breath and then take that One Step towards the door to take on my day.

"I spent so much time on my feet all day in hospital, I noticed, my feet would become quite sweaty and swollen, my legs would often become tired and achy by the end of the day. I recall the need for something comfortable, lightweight and breathable on my feet as it would be a very long day in hospital.

"When I started to do my market research, I identified that many regular trainers could be quite heavy and the insole flat design would cause aching on the base of feet when worn for prolonged periods of time. So when I designed Ones, my brief became very clear to me, I wanted to create lightweight, breathable, super comfortable and eco-friendly trainers for anyone who needs to stay on their feet all day."

Simon drew on all his contacts from the Far East and built a partnership with professional shoe designer Katie Ridges who was able to help bring his vision to life. “In this launch collection we have three styles available in black and white colours. The styles offer customers either a slip on (with no laces), a smooth and soft or mesh style finish.” 

The three styles are named the Broughton, Cantlow and Cooksley, which are poignantly named and dedicated to the three rooms they occupied at the Ronald McDonald House Birmingham. Since they have spoken at a number of their charity fundraising events and Anjna has become a Board of Governors for Birmingham House.

From the very beginning, Simon was committed to Ones Trainers being eco-friendly and sustainable so partnered with Bloom Materials, who launched the world’s first algae-blended EVA to the footwear industry. 

Bloom Materials have worked with numerous well known, popular brands in order to help them design eco-conscious products that have a positive impact on the environment. “Sustainability is high on Ones agenda, so working with Bloom Materials is incredibly important," Simon explained. 

"We want to increase the percentage of Bloom rise in the EVA outsole, improving the litres of water cleaned and restored to the environment and the M³ air cleaned of carbon dioxide.” adds Simon. Ones has even committed towards three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Ones brand is about each individual’s #myonestepjourney. They have become a family ambassador for Blood Cancer UK, continuously raising awareness and being involved in fundraising events. They have committed 10% of all profits to Blood Cancer UK, for continued research in kinder, effective treatments and improving survival rates. The family raised an incredible £11,928 from their fundraising efforts in 2017/18. 

"This was awarded to a research project at the University of Edinburgh, where Professor Katrin Ottersbach and her team are looking at genetic changes which occur before birth which can lead to the development of the disease and are also trying to understand why some leukaemia’s escape treatment, causing some babies cancers to return.

"Improving our understanding of these changes and the driving factors will help lay the groundwork for better and kinder treatments in the future."

They were also involved in Blood Cancer UK 2021 Christmas Appeal which raised an incredible £90,000. This year they are hosted Walk of Light Event in March 2022. Mia took her first steps in hospital, so this walk was incredibly poignant.

Simon is incredibly humbled by the immense support offered by the Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse Incubator, a unique centre dedicated to providing a space for collaboration, innovation and the development of new ideas, start-ups, and ventures. 

The pandemic, as with many businesses, set Ones development back, having lost their original manufacturer, Richard Scutt, the Incubator manager and Julian Beer, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City University provided sound advice and support to get back on track.

Ones has gone onto winning ‘Rising Star of the Year 2022 Award’ at StartUp Awards National Series Simon said “Life has taught me the importance of taking One Step at a time. Whether you are on an uphill battle or striving towards something beautiful, we all have our own One Step Journey. Ones Trainers are designed for anyone that needs something comfortable, no nonsense and breathable so they can stay on their feet all day.”

Ones is well and truly a brand with a Soul. They are now investing in advertising and marketing so looking for brand ambassadors and influencers, if you are interested you can you can find more about Ones Trainers at www.ones.co.uk.

Looks to us at That's Christmas that these will be ideal Christmas gifts for people who need  new trainers!

MEATER Smart Kitchen Gadgets Get Sweet, Limited-Edition Makeovers

Cherry_MEATER Plus

Introducing the new limited-edition smart meat thermometer range from MEATER. Cooking 2.0 is now even sweeter, and MEATER has added a cherry on top.

Cherry MEATER Plus: The infamous no wires, no fuss meat thermometer with a smart-guided cook system, is now available in a cherry-coloured design.

For tasty, succulent and satisfying results, whenever meat or fish is on the menu, simply connect MEATER Plus to any smartphone or tablet and enjoy estimated cooking times, meat being monitored whilst it is cooking, and alerts and notifications being sent when meat is cooked to perfection and ready to eat. 

Whether roasting the turkey or goose on Christmas day, wowing guests with a heart-warming joint in chilly February, or for those BBQs in the sunny summer months, MEATER is a must-have smart kitchen tool.

RRP: £129.00

Brown Sugar MEATER Block: Four probes for four proteins. MEATER Block is an exciting, smart and easy way to cook multiple meats at the same time and exactly to how each person prefers. So, whether your guests enjoy their steak rare, medium or well done, or if one prefers chicken over pork, you will be able to wow them by giving them tasty, cooked to perfection meat and without any guess work. Now, this culinary gadget for professional home cooking comes in a slick, darker storing and charging Block style to compliment even more kitchen decor.

RRP: £319

Christmas season is now well and truly upon us. If you’re shopping for an at-home chef, foodie, BBQ fanatic or dinner party extraordinaire, then look no more. The MEATER thermometers are perfect gifts for anyone who takes pride in their culinary skills and wants to achieve perfectly cooked meat, each and every time. And these limited-edition styles from MEATER make the gift all the more sweet, but hurry, they are only available while stocks last.

Follow MEATER on Instagram @meatermade, like them on Facebook at @MEATER, or learn more at http://www.meater.com.

This looks to be an ideal Christmas gift for the cooks in your life!

Seven ways to pet-proof your Christmas tree

Careful pet owners are being offered seven top tips to keep inquisitive pets away from their Christmas trees.

Pets and trees aren't always the safest of combination, which is why fitted furniture experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk are offering their hacks for keeping festive decoration safe over the festive period. 

Not only does keeping your cat or dog off your tree cause annoyance to owners, but the well loved Christmas centrepiece can also be dangerous for our four-legged friends. 

Needles and pines from real trees may puncture a pet’s digestive tract when swallowed, while decoration and lights on false trees can burn, electrocute, or puncture their paws. 

Tips include avoiding lights on the base of the tree, staying away from tinsel and using scented pinecones as deterrents.

Nic Shacklock from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “The last thing families want to do is spend the whole month of December trying to get their cat off the tree or their dog away from the presents underneath it. This is why we wanted to share our top tips with animal lovers - so they can keep their trees intact and their pets happy at the same time.

“Things like avoiding stringling lights near the base of your tree and avoiding breakable baubles may seem obvious - but can quickly be forgotten when caught up in the festive spirit. However, it is super important with all decorations during Christmas to ensure you are not posing any danger to your four-legged friends.”

Here are Online-Bedrooms.co.uk’s seven top tips for a pet-friendly Christmas tree:

Lights

Christmas tree lights can add a bit of magic to your tree but can be dangerous for your pets. Some may get extremely hot and burn a small pet interested in getting a closer look or cause electric shocks to little ones nibbling on the wires. If you are keen on stringing lights on your tree, make sure to only string them from about halfway up, depending on the size of your pet. 

Any other Christmas lights around the house should be secured to the wall where possible to avoid dangling close to the ground. 

Gifts 

It is best to delay putting gifts under the tree until Christmas eve or Christmas morning if possible. This way, you are removing additional temptation for your pet and avoiding any heartbreak to find your perfectly wrapped present torn apart by your pet. 

Consider placing the tree above ground level

For those with smaller dogs, placing your tree on a small table may just be enough to keep their pup away from causing any damage to the decorations or themselves.

Scented pinecones

Add some deterrent decorations by spraying some apple cider vinegar on a few pinecones and placing them at the base of your tree. The smell will keep pets away without the need of any large or non-aesthetically pleasing barriers. 

Isolate your tree

One of the best things you can do to deter a pesky pet is to place your tree in a room which can be sectioned off from the rest of the house. Make this a room that your pet doesn't particularly spend lots of time in alone to make it an easier transition for you and your family. 

Secure all decorations

Pets love to play with toys, and cats especially enjoy making toys out of everything in their way - with hanging tree decorations included. Avoid the heartbreak of finding your favourite bauble broken on the floor by carefully securing all tree decorations with twine, strong string or wire. 

Smashed baubles can also cause a serious concern for your pet’s paws. If possible, skip any breakable decorations completely to prevent potential danger for your four-legged friend. 

Avoid tinsel 

Although widely known as a symbol for festive cheer, adding tinsel to your tree this year might just be the reason your pet spends the whole of December trying to climb and attack the tree you spent so much time putting together. The shiny material may attract pets and encourage them to climb, jump and attach themselves to their Christmas tree. 

(image courtesy of Iryna Bakurskaya and Pixabay)

Still Looking for a Unique Christmas Gift? Then give the gift of language

Lingoda, one of the top global online language schools, is the language learning platform designed to get one speaking a new language confidently.

With private and group language classes of up to five people per class, Lingoda offers lessons in Spanish, French, German, English and Business English. 

And for anyone still looking for a Christmas gift for loved ones, language lessons are sure to be a unique gift idea for anyone who is looking to spend some time abroad in 2023 or wants to brush up on their foreign language skills.

Lingoda has several pricing options and learning plans available, ranging from four classes per month for $79 ($20 per class) to up to 40 classes per month for $489 per month ($12 per class).

For anyone looking to crush their 2023 language learning goals in a more speedy kind of way, there is the Lingoda Language Sprint™. The unique Sprint option offers 30 classes within two months, while the Super Sprint entails 60 classes. And one can earn between 50-100% cashback.

"All of us know how hard it can be to find the perfect Christmas present for all our nearest and dearest every year," says Philippa Wentzel, Lingoda's Curriculum Team Lead. "And for anyone interested in learning a new language for personal or professional reasons, our Lingoda language classes are designed to get you speaking your new language with confidence.

"In our group classes of up to five people at a time, people join from all over the world to learn a new language together and get their practice speaking time in. What could be better than a Christmas gift that boosts your confidence and makes you expand your horizons while meeting people around the globe?"

Currently, Lingoda also offers a risk-free trial for seven days at no cost. This way, one may even try out specific language classes before giving them away as Christmas gifts. Within the seven days, students can either take three group classes or one private class before the paid-for learning plan can begin. 

And if one is convinced that they have now found the perfect Christmas gift, just be aware that the person taking the Lingoda classes must register on the platform with their own email address and choose the language they want to learn. Once that is completed, they can start the new year with impeccable new language skills and a great sense of confidence and accomplishment. 

Lingoda is one of the top online language schools. Founded in Berlin, Germany, in 2013, we provide convenient and accessible online language courses in German, English, Business English, French and Spanish to over 100,000 students worldwide. 

With almost 550,000 classes available per year and accessible 24/7, our mission is to build bridges around the world through language learning. 

Visit Lingoda.com to learn more.

Worried about the cold weather this Christmas? Flapjackery has the answer

If the cold weather is gnawing at your bones, fuel up and keep your energy levels high with Flapjackery flapjacks.

Satisfying and extremely  delicious these gluten-free chunks of flapjacks come in an array of flavours and are handmade in Devon with the finest of British ingredients.

These mouth-watering chunks of sugary joy are laden with golden syrup and have just enough crunch, with the perfect amount of crumble, and absolutely no chewiness at all.

When cold winds bite, they're best served slightly warmed, with a dollop of clotted cream for an extra special treat, served with a warming cup of cocoa, in a limited edition Flapjackery mug of course!

Or even better, create your own tray of flapjacks. Flapjackery founders and flapjack aficionados Sally Jenkin and Carol Myott, who are still hands on in their flapjack-making empire on the edge of Dartmoor, have these brilliant tips to perfect your own bakes.

They say: “Weigh the golden syrup! Lots of recipes measure by tablespoon, but this is very inaccurate and too much syrup gives a hard flapjack. 

“Also, people's instinct is to add a bit more to make it soft and gooey but this has the opposite effect! 

“We recommend the same weight of sugar to golden syrup which together should equal the weight of butter, so if the recipe says 300gms of butter we would use 150gsm of sugar and 150gms of golden syrup butter.”

So there you have it! Flapjacks are the answer to keeping warm during this cold spell.

You can order yours from Flapjackery from just £12 and there are an array of wonderful Christmas gifts too from hampers to fudge, to Flapjackery's own exclusively designed jigsaw puzzles and aprons. 

All the flapjacks are delivered in a recyclable box, are individually wrapped, are suitable for freezing and have a shelf life of up to three months.

(That's Christmas points out that they are so utterly delicious that we would be surprised if you could keep them uneaten for three days, never mind three months!)

https://www.flapjackery.co.uk.